Walters pitches Susquenita past Ship; Mustangs drop 3

The Susquenita softball team picked off a big MPC-Colonial win last week.

On April 15, the Blackhawks went on the road to Shippensburg and came away with an 8-7 victory that pushed their record to 1-1 in the division and 3-4 overall.

Susquenita starter Devin Walters overcame errors that led to four unearned runs to collect her first win of the season. The left-hander allowed five hits and three walks, struck out two and lowered her ERA to a team-best 3.85.

The Blackhawk offense struck for all of its runs in the first three innings, including five in the third to give Walters an 8-2 lead. The Greyhounds, 1-2 in the division and 3-4 overall, struck for a run in the fourth and four in the fifth, but Walters was able to close them out.

Katie Jenkins, who is hitting .417, led the 'Hawk attack with two hits, including a double, a run and five RBI.

Alicia Cook continued her torrid pace by banging out three hits and raising her batting average to .444.

Sarah Hazelton had a hit, knocked in two runs and scored a pair, as well.

West Perry
The Mustangs' postseason hopes took a severe hit last week.

Vince Sledzinski's ballclub dropped three games to fall to 4-5 overall, a game under .500.

"Getting to the playoffs will depend on getting six tough wins," Sledzinski offered in his weekly e-mail report. "We have the tools to get us there, but we'll have to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves.'

Missed opportunities cost the Mustangs in their 7-3 loss at Cumberland Valley. Sledzinski's offense generated nine hits - all singles - but drew no walks and couldn't push across enough runs to get by the Eagles. Starter Hailey Lucas took the loss.

Kate Shambaugh, Taylor Hoak, Kelly Puchalsky and Lindsay Morrison had the other safeties.

Lack of timely hitting and failure to make a couple of tough plays cost the Mustangs in a 4-2 loss at East Pennsboro.

fifth. West Perry, held to four singles, scored twice in the top of the seventh, but the rally came up short.

The Mustangs hosted Northern on April 16, but were limited to four hits, including two extra-base hits by Hoak and dropped a 6-1 decision.

"Man, we continue to hit balls right at people," Sledzinski said. "A little more focus and, hopefully, we start to find the gaps that will plate some runs.

"We are halfway through the season now and every game is a premium.'

Kelli Valle (.484), Hoak (.407), Lucas (.400) and McGarry (.353) lead the team in hitting.